Pirog Believes Felix Sturm Will Struggle With Golovkin

By Gregory Stangrit, Allboxing.ru

WBO world middleweight champion Dmitry Pirog believes WBA champion Felix Sturm (36-2, 15KOs) will struggle when he finally meets hard hitter Gennady Golovkin (21-0, 18KOs). Sturm is the WBA's "super champion" at 160-pounds, while Golovkin is the "regular champion" at 160. The WBA ordered Sturm to defend the title against Golovkin, the current mandatory challenger, but the sanctioning body has not forced the issue to make this fight happen.

Based on Sturm's recent performances, a controversial split decision win over Matthew Macklin and a close twelve round draw with the far less experienced Martin Murray, Pirog feels the German boxer will have problems when he steps in the ring a heavy handed boxer like Golovkin.

"I think [Felix Sturm] has ceased to develop as a boxer. I've been able to form this opinion on the basis of his recent fights. If he is to meet Gennady Golovkin in the near future, I think that it's going to be difficult for him," Pirog said.

In a recent interview, Sturm praised Pirog and called him "the most difficult" fighter to beat at 160-pounds. Sturm feels Golovkin is "very overrated."